musk deer

noun
1.
a small, hornless deer, Moschus moschiferus, of central Asia, the male of which secretes musk: now rare.
Origin
1675-85
British Dictionary definitions for musk deer

musk deer

noun
1.
a small central Asian mountain deer, Moschus moschiferus. The male has long tusklike canine teeth and secretes musk
Encyclopedia Article for musk deer

(species Moschus moschiferus), small, compact deer, family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). A solitary, shy animal, the musk deer lives in mountainous regions from Siberia to the Himalayas. It has large ears, a very short tail, no antlers and, unlike all other deer, a gall bladder. Grayish brown, with long, coarse, brittle hair, the musk deer stands 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) at the shoulder, slightly higher at the rump. The male has long upper canine teeth that project downward from the mouth as tusks and has a musk-producing organ, the musk pod, on its abdomen. The musk from this organ is valued for use in perfumes and soaps.

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